Children Express Their Hopes and Dreams through World Marketing Summit’s Project Hope

Kuala Lumpur, 11 June 2013 – 100 children from orphanages around Malaysia today expressed their hopes and dreams through art by creatively expressing the future they wish for at Kompleks Kraf Kuala Lumpur under the auspices of Project Hope, a United Nations Millenium Development Goal (MDG) driven initiative of the World Marketing Summit Malaysia 2013 (WMSM2013).

The event was well supported by a strong turnout of VIP’s such as His Excellency Christian Rehren, Ambassador of Chile to Malaysia; En Mansor Abdul Latiff, General Manager of Karyaneka; Mr Stuart Ramalingam, Director of Marketing & CSR, Asian Football Confederation; Dr Annathurai, Head of CSR, Asian Football Confederation; Christopher Huehn, Ceo of Staedtler Malaysia; Y.Bhg Dato’ Tom abang Saufi and Donne Ray of The Platters.

Project Hope was convinced by WMSM2013 as the means of addressing two of the United Nations’ MDGs: Eradicating Extreme Poverty & Hunger (MDG1) and Achieving Universal Primary Education (MDG2)

The children aged between 8 and 12 years old were also treated to three days of fun activities and unforgettable experiences such as playing football with professional footballers and coaches (courtesy of Dream Asia, Asian Football Federation), getting free medical check-ups courtesy of Columbia Asia Hospital in Setapak and tours around Kuala Lumpur.

A selection of 100 art pieces by the children will be auctioned off to the participants of the World Marketing Summit Malaysia that will be held from the 28th until the 30th September 2013. The proceeds from the auction will be channelled back to the children’s homes. WMSM2013 will continue to check in on these children and follow up on their development as they grow.

An extension of Project Hope, 8 BILLION was also launched during the event. 8 BILLION is a programme that address MDGs 1 and 2 on a global scale over the next two years to increase the reach and sustainability of the Malaysian efforts.

According to the Chairperson of WMSM2013, Dr. Marceline Lemarie, “We must realise that the child of today is the leader of tomorrow: a better, brighter future is placed squarely in the palms of the children today. Through Project Hope, we will inspire these children to realise their dreams and ambitions.

Ensuring every child is equipped with the minimum of a complete primary education (MDG2) will empower them and help break the cycle of poverty and hunger (MDG1). In this way, WMSM2013 and its partners and sponsors are taking action against poverty, hunger and lack of education – starting with arming children of today with the tools they need to succeed.”